[Coco] [Color Computer] X10 driver

[Gene Heskett]

On Sunday 24 June 2007, George's Coco Address wrote:
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Gene Heskett"
>
>> On Sunday 24 June 2007, George's Coco Address wrote:
>>>I figure I'll harp on this until I'm dead....
>>>
>>> I want someone to develop an OS9 driver for the X10 timer.
>>> If I knew how to do it, I would. However, I'm a dummy with assembly  and
>>> I
>>>just can't seem to wrap my head around the way OS9 does it.
>>>Doggonnit!  There are too many files and steps needed to make an
>>>executable.
>>>I get confused with all those darned files and I have no clue what they
>>>are.
>>>
>>> Yup! I'm an idiot.
>>>
>>>
>>>George
>>
>> What's an x10 timer?  Brand & Model # please.
>
>Gene,
>
> The X10 timer in the Coco version is Model 26-3142 TRS-80 Color Computer
>Plug-N-Power Programmable Appliance/Light Controller.

I had forgotten about that gizmo.  And never had one.  Was that also known as 
a cp290?  In that case, do a google search for the author and program 
mentioned here in the heyu readme:
----
See the original README in Larry Campbell's program for some nice info on
the cp290 and the history of the program. See the original for some really
nifty uses using scheduling and macros.
----
Larry Campbell however has dug himself a hole and pulled it in after himself.  
Our (Charles Sullivan and I) attempts to establish contact so that the 
license might be converted to the GPL have been ongoing and fruitless.  The 
actual license predates the GPL but reads similarly to it.  I've personally 
emailed at least 10% of the Larry Campbell's that a google search outputs 
without finding the correct one.

The license is the only thing keeping it out of the various linux distro's.

> It connects to the coco via the Cassette port. It uses an FSK data stream
>about 600 baud if I remember correctly. It may be faster. The communication
>is bi-directional to send and receive data to/from the coco and the
>controller/timer.
>
> There does exist a software for this but I can't remember what it is
>called, but it only works from DECB. Of course, there is the program pak
>that has the rom to program and operate it, but it is a real pain to bring
>out a CC2 because the program pak only will work with a CC1 or CC2. It uses
>the semi-graphic mode that the CC3 doesn't have.

That may be the only choice without trying to recompile heyu, which I think 
would be a bit difficult..  Ok, a lot difficult...  But, its something I 
might try if I was still using a coco for everything AND was aware that heyu 
was available.

> If there was an OS-9 driver for it, I could dedicate a coco just for this
>application and do quite a few neat tricks around my place.

As the average coco, with an 63C09 in it, draws maybe 2-3 watts, being able to 
get that utility for that price in power is a bargain.  Even at 10-15 watts 
with a 68A09 in it, it still beats quite a few other choices.  I'd sure 
consider it, if I had that interface.

> If you want more info on just what X10 is, just google it or go to X10.com

Oh, I know what x10 is, heyu runs the lights and such around here, and I even 
co-wrote an x10 manager for the amiga's called EzHome a decade and change 
back up the log.  But the interface of choice has always been the cm11a.  The 
radio shack thing was never ever asked about when we were selling that 
software as shareware years ago, so it never showed on our radar at the time 
and my knowledge of how to program it is absolutely nil.  Sorry.

-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
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-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
Somewhere in suburban Honolulu, an unemployed bellhop is whipping up a
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